Team IDs gene marker linked to brain cancer

Regional Report

November 10, 2009|By Fernando Quintero, Sentinel staff writer

In a first-of-its-kind finding, a team of Florida Hospital doctors and University of Central Florida researchers has identified a gene marker that may significantly improve survival in patients with brain cancer.

The research team, led by Florida Hospital neurosurgeon Dr. Melvin Field, found a specific gene present in brain-tumor stem cells that is not present in normal, nontumor stem cells. Tumor stem cells are thought to play a critical role in making malignant brain tumors that are resistant to current treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation. The goal would be to find a way to target tumor stem cells without hurting normal stem cells.

The discovery of the gene marker could lead to future treatments to block or target the gene and help patients with the most aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma multifome -- the same type that Sen. Edward Kennedy battled.

Last month, the research won the BrainLAB Neurosurgery Award from the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, one of the largest gatherings of brain surgeons in the world. The award is presented to a neurosurgeon practicing in a nonacademic setting with the best research related to central nervous system tumors.

"The award is an incredible honor, and I feel fortunate to be able to work with such a talented group physicians and researchers," said Field. "This is promising as Orlando continues to establish itself as a destination for medicine and science."

The effort is the latest example of important scientific discovery resulting from Orlando's emerging life-sciences cluster.